Well, Shambles, it could be that the tone of one person, Rev Joseph Di Noia, was not sufficiently contrite to satisfy you; or it could be the tone of the translator; or it could be the "spin" you put on his words. He said the Spanish Inquisition was explicable (explainable/understandable) because of the times - he did not excuse it.
Click here for the article on the Inquisition from the Catholic Encyclopedia. I can't find the publication date just now, but it was about 1915. I don't usually refer to it because of its age, but it gives a good indication that even Catholics a century ago, did not make excuses for the Spanish Inquisition.
-Joe Offer-